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The Lake Wales Mardi Gras was born in late 1984, from a desire to honor the passing of one
of the biggest fans of Dixieland Jazz in the area. Vinton Davis was a noted restauranteur,
and had brought his family, his recipes, and his love of music to Lake Wales 10 years earlier,
founding the now-famous Vinton's New Orleans Restaurant in the
National Historic District.
It's quick success and popularity, in keeping with the family
tradition of excellent restaurants, was exactly what the temperamental Vinton
wanted. He operated the establishment with a form of recklessly creative abandon, and was inclined to toss out the
indiscrete customer who might ask for a banned condiment or complain that a dish was too spicy. His irascible ways endeared
him to many, but he later ran away to join the circus, fulfilling his life-long dream at an age
when others are seeking quiet retirement. His family faithfully operated the restaurant, waiting
for the time when the prodigal father might return.
When Vinton finally came back to Lake Wales, he was burdened with the illness that ultimately took his life, but could not
destroy the strong impressions this blithe spirit had made on the citizenry.
After his passing, a small group, including the pastor of his church, sat at the restaurant consoling the
family, and discussing how he might be suitably honored, since his dream of a Dixieland funeral and a band to escort
him to his grave had not been possible. An idea for a concert in the restaurant gave way to a band marching up the street, which led
quickly to friends donning costumes. Soon, all these concepts had fallen before the growing, urgent desire to
create a lasting annual event that would commemorate more than a single man, but a creative spirit, an
expression of the never-failing creative and musical energy of the human race.
Since the first outrageous parade in 1985 with fifty-something bold participants and a
few hundred confused but highly amused spectators, Mardi Gras has grown into a two-week
celebration of costume balls, jam sessions, street vendors, New Orleans-style food, and
non-stop fun. Exemplifying the spirit of the Lake Wales Mardi Gras, the parade has evolved
into a near masterpiece of street theater, highlighted by creative floats, flamboyant costumes,
and unabashed entertainment, with more than four hundred participants cheered on by thousands
of not-so-innocent bystanders.
Within two years, more than a dozen Krewes had sprung up, private parade clubs who created their own
floats and finery. Many began staging elaborate masquerade parties and even formal balls, during which they crowned
their selected royalty to reign over the festivities and their parade floats.
To just about everyone, Mardi Gras also means Music. An annual crowd-pleaser, the Mardi
Gras Music Festival has spotlighted a variety of musical forms, from Dixieland Jazz to Big
Band, Swing to Zydeco, Ska to Rock and Roll.
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